Apparatus for bottom filling of containers



Oct. 31, 1944. v McKlNNlS 2,361,641

APPARATUS FOR BOTTOM FILLING OF CONTAINERS Filed April 28, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I I n I v.

RONALD B. McKINNlS,

Oct. 31, 1944. R. B. M KINNIS 2,361,641

I APPARATUS FOR BOTTOM FILLING OF CONTAINERS Filed April 28, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 2 gram/MM RONALD B- MCKINNIS I Oct. 31, 1944.

R. B. M KINNIS APPARATUS FOR BOTTOM FILLING OF CONTAINERS Filed April 28, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 QL N% I RONALD B. MCK|NN|S Patented on. 31, 1944 UNITED STATES I PATENT omca APPARATUS FOR BOTTOM FILLING F CONTAINERS Winter Haven. Fla.

Application April 28,

7 Claims.

The resent invention relates in general to aparatus for filling. containers with liquid and more specifically to an apparatus for filling containers with liqiuds that are subject to oxidation, such as, the juices of citrus fruits wherein the liquids are maintained out of contact with the atmosphere. or course, it is to be understood that the apparatus can be employed for filling receptacles with liquids of other types. It is well known that it is necessary to employ extreme care in filling containers with fruit juices to prevent the oxidation of the juices. The old style mechanisms for filling the containers from the bottom have been complicated in construction and slow in operation.

An object of the present apparatus is to provide a machine whereby the juices may be filled V from the bottom of the'containerwhich is simple in construction and operation. I Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for filling the receptacle or container from the bottom, the container remaining open during filling, but by .the employment of inert gas or other suitable fluids to produce a blanketing of the surface of the liquid during the filling operation, oxidation of the juices is prevented. A

Still another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for filling cans in which the filling operation is so controlled that the opened receptacle is subjected to a blast of inert gas to force out of the same the atmospheric air and vof blanketing fluid is followed by the introduction of a stream of the juice, the stream being surrounded in a tube of mobile inert gas or steam.

In addition to the objects hereinabove mentioned, I provide a mechanism which will fill the containers to the desired level whereby the top edge of the container becomes a gauge, so to speak, by which the quantity of liquid permitted to flow into the container can be determined, thereby permitting a constant head space to be afforded in all containers regardless of variations in the container sizes.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and'combinations to be hereinafter set forth and'claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements comprising my invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangements,

1941, Serial No. 390,813

derstood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into prac tical eiiect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation,

have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view .of my filling apparatus showing the liquid and blanketing valves.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of Figure looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. 1

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of the control system for actuating the filling operation.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, I have shown a valve mechanism indicated generally I for controlling the citrus juices or other liquids that are adapted to be-filled into the containers, one of which is designated by the numeral 2. A second valve mechanism designated generally I is provided to 0 control the fiow of a blanketing fluid such as steam or inert gas that is adapted to blanket or surround the juice during the filling operation. As best shown in Figure 2; the valve l is provided with a body portion 4 formed with a lateral extension 5 having an axial bore through which the juice is adapted to be fed to a central cham ber 6 of the valve body. Secured to the extremity of the extension 5 by a threaded flange cap or coupling 1 is a juice conduit 8 which is in communication with a source .of juice .supply (not indicated). As shown in Figure 2, the extension 5 is provided with a threaded portion 5a which is received in a bracket la supported on the filling machine. A nut 5b is mounted on the portion 5a and cooperates with a shoulder against which the bracket abuts to grip the bracket |a.

A threaded opening 8 diametrically opposed to the inner end of the extension 5 is provided in the valve body 4 to enable the interior or the valve to be cleaned, etc., and a threaded plug in normally closes this opening.

Secured to the upper face '0! the valve body 4 by screws or the like ll is a hollow sleeve I2. A. peripherally threaded flange II is carried by the upper end of the sleeve I2 as an integral part thereof. A cover member or solenoid housing M is adapted to be threaded onto the flange l3. Interposed between the upper face of the valve body and the hollow sleeve 12 is a neoprene diaphragm l5. Attached to the diaphragm i5 is a valve stem I 6 which extends through a tube IT secured at its upper end in a threaded aperture l8 formed in the lower portion of the valve body. As clearly shown in Figure 1, the tube l1 extends to a point adjacent to the bottom of the container 2 and the lower end of the stem [6 carries a disc valve IQ of any suitable construction which closes the lower open end of the tube. Valve disc it is secured by screw lBa to the lower end of stem i6. I

Attached to the upper end of the stem 16, as shown at 20, is a solenoid connecting rod 2| which extends through a peripherally threaded guide 22 threadedly mounted in the sleeve l2 which is internally threaded for this purpose as shown. The upper end of the rod 2i is-secured to an armature 23 of a solenoid device indicated generally by reference character 24. The armature slides in a barrel 25 which is carried by the upper end of sleeve i2 within the casing E4. The solenoid 2 3 is of course provided with a conventional solenoid winding 26 which is adapted upon being energized to lower the armature 23, and consequently lower the solenoid connecting rod 2| and the stem It to open the valve l9. A helical coil spring 21 surrounds the rod 2i and one end thereof bears against a collar 28 fixed on rod 2| and the other end bears against the rod guide 22. It will be appreciated that the spring 21 normally holds the stem H6 in the position shown in Figure 1, or in other words, maintains the valve 19 in its closed position.

Sleeve 12 is provided with an elongated slot 29 wherein is mounted for vertical movement a stop 30 formed with an adjusting and setting head 3|.

Obviously; by varying the position of the stop 30 in the slot 29 the amount of movement of the collar 28 can be regulated, thus limiting the amount of the opening of the valve l9. In. connection with the neoprene diaphragm it might be mentioned that this member will prevent any liquid in the valve body 4 from coming into contact with the solenoid and its various operating parts.

Attached to the valve body 4 is a bracket 33 which carries a hub 34. A vertical rod 35 is mounted in'the hub 34 for vertical movement and is formed with an axially extending groove 7 or slot 36. A screw 31 has a reduced end engagthe electrode is provided with screw threads which enable the tip Of the electrode to adjustably. extendbelow the lower surface of the insulating block 40 to a desired distance.

It can :be seen from Figure 1 that when the block 40 is 'in its lowermost position, it'rests on the rim of the container 2 and that the tip of the electrode projects into the interior of the container to the exact level to which it is desired to fill the container.

functions as the other electrode cooperating with electrode 42 to complete an electrical circuit through the juice. The complete electrical circuit controlling the operation of the valves will later be more fully described.

The valve 3 which controls the flow of the steam or inert gas for blanketing the juice in the container is provided with a body portion 45 having a central aperture or hamber it. A threaded nipple 41 providing communication with chamber 45 is integrally formed on the lower portion of the body 45 and is attached to a conduit or pipe 49 by a threaded coupling 48. The opposite end of the conduit 49 is connected by a coupling 5| to a threaded nipple 5|] communicating with the interior of a chamber or nozzle 50a threadedly mounted on a boss 4a on the lower end of body 4.

Suitably fixed to the upper surface of the body 45 is a hollow sleeve 52 which is formed at its upper end with an annular flange 53 having a peripherally threaded surface onto which is screwed a solenoid housing 54. Between the sleeve 52 and the valve body 45 is disposed a neoprene diaphragm 55 through which extends a valve stem '56. The valve stem has at its lower end a conical valve body 51 which is adapted to engage a seat 58 formed in the lower part of chamber 46.

The upper end of the valve stem 56 is suitably secured to an armature 59 which slides in a barrel B0 of a solenoid construction indicated generally by reference character 6!. The solenoid iii, of course, is housed within the member 54 and is provided with a conventional winding 62. The armature 59 is maintained normally in the position shown in Figure 1 (its down position) by means of a helical spring 63 which is disposed between the upp r end of the armature and the top of the housing 54. An adjusting screw 64 extends through the housing 54 and through the helical spring to provide the upper limit of movement of the armature 59, the position of which can be varied.

In general, first I subject the apparatus to a purging step wherein steam or inert gas, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or a mixture thereof, is discharged in a blanket through the conduit 49 into the chamber or nozzle 50a and The tube l1 surrounding the valve stem I5 76 through the aperture formed in the bottom thereof into the container 2 by which the container is purged of atmospheric air. After this purging step, the juice is discharged through the conduit 8 into the valve chamber through the tube l1 past the valve l9 and into the bottom of the container.

' In Figure 5 of the drawings, there are shown two electrical conductors I0 and H which are connected for instance to volt mains and two conductors 12 and 13 which are supplied by a current of reduced voltage, for instance of approximately twelve volts. The electrodes consisting of the tube l1 andthe vertically adjustableelectrode 42 are included in a circuit 14 which is adapted to be closed or completed when the surface 0f the juice or liquid in the can 2 rises to the desired level. Circuit 14 is connected at 15 to conductor 12 and at 16 to conductor 13 of the low voltage supply line so as to impress a potential of approximately twelve volts thereon.

Circuit 14 includes a coil 11 of a shut-off relay 78, which comprises an armature 19 adapted normally to-be in the position shown in Figure 5; i. e., in a closed position. One end of armature 83, and steam or inert gas is discharged through 19 which serves as a switch arm is connected by conductor 80 to wire 13, and the other end is adapted to engage a contact 8| which is connected by wire 82 to a contact 83 of starting switch 84. Contact83 is also connected by conductor 85 to a contact 88 of a valve relay 81.

The valve relay 811s normally opened as indicated in Figure and comprises a double arm switch 88 consisting of a maintain arm 89 and an energizing circuit arm 98. A conductor SI connects the maintain arm 89 to the other com tact 92 of the starting switch 84.

An energizing coil-93 of'the valve relay 81 has one of its ends connected by wire 94 to the contact 92 and the other end of said coil 93 is connected by a wire 95 to the wire 12 at the point 15. Coil 93 serves as the energizing means for moving an armature for actuating the double arm switch 88.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the relay 81 is provided with a contact 88 adapted to be engaged by the switch arm 80 when the latter isin its closed position. In this connection it will be noted that the switch arm 90 is connected to the main line conductor 1I'. Said contact 98 of the relay 81 is connected by conductor 91 to one end of the winding 82 of the solenoid 3, the other end of said winding being connected to one of the main line conductors 10.

A thermal switch winding 98 is connected at one end by a conductor 99 to said conductor 91 and at its other end by a wire I00 to said main line conductor 10. The thermal switch IOI is provided with a movable thermal element I02 which upon being heated by the winding 98 is adapted tomove its contact I88 into engagement with a contact I04 which is connected .to the aforesaid contact 98 by means of a lead I05. The other end of the switch arm I02 of the thermal switch is connected by a conductor I08 to the winding 28 of the solenoid I4, and the other end of said solenoid winding is connected by a wire I01 to said main line conductor 10.

In operation, the receptacle or can 2 is placed underneath the valve assembly, in a position as indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings with the electrode 42 extending downwardly into the can to a level-to which it is desired to fill the can with liquid. The starting switch 84 is then actuated which closes the circuit between contacts 88 and 92. This causes the current to flow from conductor 12 of the low potential main through conductor 95, coil 93, conductor 94, switch 84, conductor 82, switch arm 19 and wire 80 to the conductor '13 of said low, potential main. This flow of current energizes the coil 93 causing the double arm switch 88 to shift to bring the arms 89 and 90 into engagement with the contacts 88 and 98 respectively. The closing of switch. arm 88 completes a circuit from contact 83-of the starting switch through wire'85, contact 88, switch arm 89 and conductor 9| to contact 92. Upon the completion of this circuit, the starting switch 84 may be released, and the coil 98 will remain energized to maintain the switch arms 88 and 80 in engagement with their contacts;

Upon engagement of the switch arm 80 with the contact '98, a circuit is completed from main line conductor 10 through the winding 82 of the steam or gas valve control solenoid and through conductor 91 to contact and from the latter through arm 90 to the other conductor ll of the main line. Upon completion of this circuit and energizing the winding 82, the steam or inert gas valve 51 is opened against the action of the spring pipe 49 into the chamber 50a and downwardly through the opening 50b in the lower face of said chamber into the container or can 2 positioned beneath the same.

While the steam or inert gas is flowing into the container or can, the winding 98 of the thermal switch IOI becomes heated by completion of the circuit from conductor 10, through wire I00, winding 98 and wires 99 and 91 to contact 98 and thence through arm to main line conductor H. The heating effect of winding 98' causes the thermal arm I02 to become heated and to warp thereby bringing its contact I03 into engagement with contact I04. Ihis completes a circuit from main line conductor 10 through wire I01, solenoid coil 28, wire I08, arm I02, contacts I03, I04, wire I05, contact 98 and thence through arm 90 to main line conductor 1 I. Thus, after a winding 28 of the solenoid of valve I. Upon energizing the winding controlling the valve I, said valve is displaced downwardly causing the rod I8 to move the valve body I9 away from the lower end of the tube I1 to permit the fiow of juice or other liquid into .the can in the bottom thereof. As the juice or other liquid enters the can 2 at the bottom thereof, it forces the blanket of steam or inert gas upwardly and out through-the open upper end of said can as the level of the liquid deposited in the bottom of the can rises.

The inert gas or steam lies in the form of a blanket on top of the rising liquid in the container and prevents access of air or oxygen to the juice. There will be a considerable quantity of steam or inert gas which will find its way into bubbles beneath the surface of the juice, but since this material is entirely non-oxidizing, no deleterious effects will be obtained. In fact, the foam on the surface of the juice as it rises in the con tainer also tends to blanket the main body of the juice in the container against oxidation effects of the atmosphere. 2

As the surface of the juice rises, it eventually reaches the contact point of the electrode 42, and when this level is reached, a circuit is completed between the tube I1 and the electrode 42. Re-

ferring to Figure 5 of the drawings, it will be noted that when a connection is made by the liquid between the electrodes I1 and 42, a circuit is completed from point 15 on the low potential permitting the double arm switch 88 to be moved by a suitable spring (not shown) away from the contacts 86 and 98, thus breaking the circuit between the conductors 10 and 1| of the main line through the solenoid windings 28 and 62 and'permitting the valves I9 and 51 to be moved onto their seats by the springs 21 and 83 respectively,

thereby shutting off the flow of both the juice and the steam' or other inert blanketing gas.

It will be noted that the insulating block 48 carrying the electrode 42 rides on the upper rim 'of the container 2 during filling of the latter with v the liquid. This ensures that the liquid will be filled to a constant level with respect to the upper rim of the can, which level'can be varied by adjusting the position of electrode 32 in the threaded sleeve or bushing ii i.

It will be realized that the apparatus of the present invention enables a container to be thoroughly purged of oxidizing atmosphere by the introduction of a non-oxidized liquid into the can, filling them from the bottom upward. The apparatus disclosed herein is much simpler and more effective than heretofore employed and considerably reduces the expense of the filling opera tion.

I desire that my invention be limited only by the showing of the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for filling open top containers with an oxidizable liquid comprising a nozzle positioned above a container to be filled for discharging a stream of inert gas down through the open top of the container to form a blanket in the container, a tube extending down through said nozzle and through the open top of the container to a point adjacent the bottom thereof for introducing said liquid into the bottom of the container beneath the blanket of inert gas, a rod extending down through said tube, a valve carried by the lower end of said rod for closing the lower end of said tube, means for actuating said valve and additional means for introducing inert gas under pressure to said nozzle continuously with the introduction of liquid to the bottom of said container.

2. In an apparatus for filling oxidizable liquid into open top containers, achamber positioned above the container and having an opening in its lower wall, a. tube extending down through said opening through the open top of the container to a point adjacent the bottom of the latter, said opening being of a diameter larger than the tube to provide an annular orifice, means for discharging the liquid from the lower end of the tube into the bottom of the container, and means for introducing inert gas under pressure into said chamber and discharging it continuously with the discharge of the liquid out through the annular orifice in the bottom of the chamber downwardly through the opentop of the container to continuously cover the surface of the liquid in the container with a blanket of the inert gas.

3. In an apparatus for filling oxidizable liquid into open top containers, a chamber positioned above the container and having an opening in its lower wall, a tube extending down through said-opening through the open top of the container to a point adjacent the bottom of the latter, said opening being of a diameter larger than the tube to provide an annular orifice, means for introducing inert gas into said chamber and discharging it out through the annular orifice in the bottom of the chamber into the open top of the containergvalves controlling the flow of inert gas through the nozzle and liquid through the 'tube, means for opening the liquid control valve means for closing both valves when the liquid reaches a predetermined level in said container.

4. An apparatus for filling open top containers with an oxidizable liquid to prevent oxidation thereof comprising means including a conduit terminating adjacent the bottom of the container for introducing the liquid in the container, additional means including a second conduit terminating above the open top of the container for introducing a stream of non-oxidizing fiuid downwardly into the container continuously with the introduction of the liquid to blanket the surface of liquid filling the container.

5. An apparatus for filling open top containers with an oxidizable liquid to prevent oxidation thereof comprising a nozzle terminating adjacent the bottom of the container for introducing the liquid into the same, a second nozzle terminating above the open end of the container for directing a stream of non-oxidizing fiuid downwardly into the container to blanket the surface of liquid introduced from the first named nozzle, means for controlling fiow of liquid from the first named nozzle and additional means for efiecting a fiow of the non-oxidizing fluid from the second named nozzle continuously with the fiow of the liquid.

6. An apparatus for filling open top containers with the desired amount of an oxidizable liquid to prevent oxidation thereof comprising means including a conduit terminating adjacent the bottom of the container for introducing the liquid into the container, means including a second conduit terminating above the open top of the container for introducing a stream of non-oxidizing fluid downwardly into the container continuously with the introduction of the liquid to blanket the surface of said liquid, and adjustable means engaging the upper rim of the container and projecting a predetermined distance downwardly thereinto, said adjustable means serving to terminate the introduction of both the liquid and gas when the liquid introduced into the container has attained a predetermined volume gauged with respect to the upper rim of said container.

'7. An apparatus for filling open top containers with an ,oxidizable liquid to prevent oxidation thereof comprising a nozzle terminating adjacent the bottom of the container for introducing the liquid into the same, a second nozzle terminating above the open end of the container for directing a stream of non-oxidizing fluid downwardly into the container to blanket the surface of liquid introduced from the first named nozzle, a valve for controlling fiow from each of said nozzles, spring means for maintaining normally the valves closed, means operative in opposition to said spring means for opening first the valve for the fluid nozzle and then the valve for the liquid nozzle, an adjustable gauging device engaging the upper rim of the container and projecting downwardly a predetermined distance into said container, and means operatively connecting the gauging device with said valve opening means and serving to render the valve opening means inoperative to permit both of said valves to close when the surface of liquid in the container contacts said gauging device.

RONALD B. McKINNIS. 

